San Antonio’s Animal Care Services: Challenges and Progress Amidst Budget Increases

San Antonio’s Animal Care Services (ACS) Department is currently facing significant challenges, including a failure to respond to approximately 40% of critical calls, a struggle to reclaim its “no kill” status, and an inability to meet spay/neuter goals. These issues come to light just over a year after a tragic dog mauling incident prompted a substantial budget increase for the department. As the city prepares for a new fiscal year, the latest budget presentation reveals both the hurdles and the strides made by ACS.

Budget Increases and Leadership Changes

In the upcoming fiscal year, ACS is set to receive a 13.6% budget increase, raising its funding from $28.5 million in 2024 to $32.3 million in 2025. This follows a staggering 33% budget increase in 2024, a significant contrast to the funding trends of other city departments. The recent budget presentation aimed to inform the City Council about the department’s progress and justify the proposed additional funding.

The department has been operating under interim leadership since the retirement of former Director Shannon Sims in May. Michael Shannon, previously the city’s director for Development Services, is currently overseeing ACS. However, city leaders opted not to hire any of the four finalists presented by a national recruiting firm, leaving Shannon to navigate the department’s challenges without a permanent leadership structure.

Response Rates and Public Safety

Despite the budgetary support, ACS is still grappling with its response rates to critical calls regarding aggressive animals, neglect, and cruelty. Last year, the department managed to respond to only 56% of such calls, a staggering 44% shortfall. While Shannon expressed optimism about improving these rates, projecting a 100% response rate by 2026, the department is only expected to respond to about 59% of calls this year.

One notable positive change has been the increase in criminal citations issued by ACS officers, primarily for unrestrained dogs, as the department added staff last year. City Manager Erik Walsh highlighted that metrics such as live release rates and animal intake are trending positively compared to the previous year, indicating some progress amidst the challenges.

The Journey to “No Kill” Status

San Antonio has been on a long journey to improve its animal care services, particularly in achieving “no kill” status, which means that at least 90% of healthy, adoptable animals are either adopted, transferred, or returned to their owners. The city first achieved this status in 2016 but has seen a decline in its live release rate, which fell to its lowest in seven years by the end of 2022.

During the recent budget presentation, Shannon indicated that the city is on track to report a live release rate of approximately 85% for the 2024 fiscal year, surpassing the goal of 83%. However, as the city faces pressure to pick up more stray and potentially dangerous animals, there are concerns that rescue efforts may not keep pace with the increasing intake.

The city plans to increase the number of ACS first responders from 32 to 50 in the coming year, but the budget did not allocate funds for new pet placement staff or an increase in the number of foster homes available for rescued animals. This could lead to a projected decline in the live release rate to 83% for the 2025 fiscal year.

Spay/Neuter Initiatives and Challenges

Another critical area where ACS is falling short is in its spay/neuter initiatives. The department is projected to miss its spay/neuter goals by approximately 10,000 surgeries this year. Shannon attributed this shortfall to difficulties in retaining enough veterinarians to staff the spay/neuter clinics and changes in industry practices that have reduced the number of surgeries performed daily.

The budget includes funding for 21 new support staff positions for two new spay/neuter clinics in Denver Heights and Las Palmas, which are expected to provide free and low-cost surgeries starting in early 2025. Despite these efforts, the city is setting a goal of 41,170 surgeries for the upcoming year, up from 33,000 in 2024, but still falling short of the necessary capacity to address the issue effectively.

Looking Ahead

As San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Department navigates these challenges, the city is poised to receive fresh data early next year regarding the number of stray and roaming animals in the community. The last study, conducted in 2019, estimated that around 35,000 stray dogs were living on the streets at any given time.

Council members, including Phyllis Viagran, have emphasized the need for effective use of the increased funding to ensure that ACS can meet its goals and improve public safety. With the department facing a monumental task ahead, the community remains hopeful that the combination of increased funding, strategic planning, and dedicated leadership will lead to meaningful improvements in animal care services in San Antonio.

In conclusion, while San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Department has made some strides in recent months, significant challenges remain. The upcoming fiscal year will be crucial in determining whether the department can effectively respond to critical calls, reclaim its “no kill” status, and meet its spay/neuter goals, all while ensuring the safety and well-being of the city’s animal population.